<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="auto">Slow and steady is the best process. If you don't feel benevolent towards it, wait until later. </div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto">Excellent work can be done without the fancy tool (and sometimes they cost quite a few dollars) just how slow and steady</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div id="composer_signature" dir="auto"><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757">Regards</div><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757">Tony Mowbray</div><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757"><br></div><div style="font-size:85%;color:#575757">Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.</div></div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div><br></div><div align="left" dir="auto" style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: "Chromatest J. Pantsmaker via Synth-diy" <synth-diy@synth-diy.org> </div><div>Date: 16/6/26 9:20 am (GMT+10:00) </div><div>To: synth-diy@synth-diy.org </div><div>Subject: Re: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack
equipment? </div><div><br></div></div>I've done pretty well using a step drill and a small file. You definitely want to punch the exact center of the XLR though.<br><br><br><br>On Monday, June 15th, 2026 at 4:04 PM, Tom Bugs via Synth-diy <synth-diy@synth-diy.org> wrote:<br><br>> I've used a few Q Max punches of various diameters - they're very good.<br>> <br>> <br>> On 15/06/2026 23:16, cheater cheater via Synth-diy wrote:<br>> > I won't be replacing the TRS socket, I'll be putting the XLR in an empty space.<br>> ><br>> > Thanks for the product suggestions so far, I'll check them out.<br>> ><br>> > On Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 9:26 PM BrightBoy via Synth-diy<br>> > <synth-diy@synth-diy.org> wrote:<br>> >> In the USA, Greenlee has been the defacto chassis punch manufacturer since the industrial age started.<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> I also recommend getting the stout automatic center punch to make sure your drill doesn't walk<br>> >> on the mounting holes.<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> My favorite? The heavy duty Starrett #18C<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> Good luck!<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> BB<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> -----Original Message-----<br>> >> From: Mike Bryant <mbryant@futurehorizons.com><br>> >> Sent: Jun 15, 2026 3:12 PM<br>> >> To: synth-diy <synth-diy@synth-diy.org>, cheater cheater <cheater00social@gmail.com><br>> >> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?<br>> >><br>> >><br>> >><br>> >> Lots of punches available, but the problem for you will be making something of the exact diameter of the TRS socket to centralise the punch. Then make up a template to punch the mounting holes.<br>> >> ________________________________<br>> >> From: Synth-diy <synth-diy-bounces@synth-diy.org> on behalf of cheater cheater via Synth-diy <synth-diy@synth-diy.org><br>> >> Sent: 15 June 2026 19:45<br>> >> To: synth-diy <synth-diy@synth-diy.org><br>> >> Subject: [sdiy] Installing good looking XLR panel connector on rack equipment?<br>> >><br>> >> I have a couple dbx 286s units, and in their infinite wisdom dbx did<br>> >> not include XLR output, only input, so I'm looking for a good clean<br>> >> way to install a high quality xlr output plug. It already has balanced<br>> >> TRS, so electrically it isn't anything spectacular, but I'm looking to<br>> >> punch the enclosure in a nice way and then install the plug. I was<br>> >> wondering if anyone had experience with this, and can recommend a good<br>> >> combination of panel mount XLR jack and a punch that makes holes that<br>> >> fit it well. I know Neutrik do panel mount XLR, so that would be my<br>> >> go-to, but I don't know how best to go about doing the hole punching,<br>> >> so I would appreciate any suggestions or experiences. Thanks.<br>> >> ________________________________________________________<br>> >> This is the Synth-diy mailing list<br>> >> Submit email to: Synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br>> >> View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/<br>> >> Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy<br>> >> Selling or trading? Use marketplace@synth-diy.org<br>> >> ________________________________________________________<br>> >> This is the Synth-diy mailing list<br>> >> Submit email to: Synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br>> >> View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/<br>> >> Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy<br>> >> Selling or trading? Use marketplace@synth-diy.org<br>> > ________________________________________________________<br>> > This is the Synth-diy mailing list<br>> > Submit email to: Synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br>> > View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/<br>> > Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy<br>> > Selling or trading? Use marketplace@synth-diy.org<br>> <br>> --<br>> BugBrand LTD<br>> UK company No. 07199808<br>> VAT No. GB 988 2629 57<br>> 1 Ninetree Hill<br>> BRISTOL BS1 3SB<br>> United Kingdom<br>> www.bugbrand.co.uk<br>> <br>> ________________________________________________________<br>> This is the Synth-diy mailing list<br>> Submit email to: Synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br>> View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/<br>> Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy<br>> Selling or trading? Use marketplace@synth-diy.org<br>> <br><br>________________________________________________________<br>This is the Synth-diy mailing list<br>Submit email to: Synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br>View archive at: https://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/<br>Check your settings at: https://synth-diy.org/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy<br>Selling or trading? Use marketplace@synth-diy.org<br></body></html>